Police
“A great all-rounder for all police work.”
Chambers & Partners
civil actions / applications
Cecily frequently appears in cases involving allegations of assault/battery, unlawful stop and search, racial and sexual discrimination, false imprisonment, trespass to the person and to property, malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office, negligence, and breaches alleged under the Human Rights Act 1998 (especially Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 14 ECHR). She has a growing practice in data protection and information law.
JUDICIAL REVIEW / HUMAN RIGHTS
Cecily acts in judicial review claims and permission hearings. She has a strong public law background having worked at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, the Public Law Project, and a human rights NGO in Sierra Leone.
misconduct
Cecily has acted in a wide range of misconduct cases, “fast track” hearings, appeals and related judicial review challenges. She has a track record of presenting cases to their successful conclusion, and is adept at drafting charges, responding to procedural challenges, and navigating the conduct and performance regimes. Cecily frequently advises on complaints, recordable conduct matters and referrals to the IOPC.
INQUESTS & INQUIRIES
Cecily regularly appears on behalf of police forces in Article 2 and jury inquests. She has been junior counsel to Surrey Police in the fresh inquests ordered into the deaths of recruits at Deepcut Army Barracks between 1995 and 2002. Other notable cases have involved firearms, restraint, emergency response and psychiatric patients.
OPERATIONAL ADVICE
Cecily advises on points of law in areas such as data protection and freedom of information; police powers under PACE, RIPA and at common law; and the misconduct regime.
cases & work of note
Cecily’s notable police cases span judicial review and civil claims.
These cases have included:
- Parker v Essex Police [2018] EWCA Civ 2788
Acting for Essex Police (led by John Beggs KC) in the compensation claim brought by Michael Parker (aka Barrymore) in respect of his arrest in 2007 following the death of Stuart Lubbock in March 2001. The Court of Appeal allowed the police appeal holding that, even though the arrest had been unlawful, Mr Parker was only entitled to nominal damages. Click here for media coverage. - Undercover Policing Inquiry [ongoing]
Junior counsel to Gerry Boyle KC on behalf of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). - Gray v Police Appeals Tribunal [2018] EWCA Civ 34
Resisting the judicial review of a decision to bring fresh Part 4 misconduct proceedings against an officer acquitted in the Crown Court of serious sexual offences (led by John Beggs KC). The appeal concerned the use of Part 5 (“special case”) misconduct proceedings where an officer has sustained a criminal conviction which is overturned on appeal. - Inquests into the deaths of soldiers at Deepcut Army Barracks [2016, 2018, 2019]
Junior counsel to Surrey Police in three fresh inquests ordered following the deaths of four soldiers at Deepcut Army Barracks between 1995 and 2002. Click here for media coverage. - Inquest touching the death of Sally Hodkin [2018]
Acting for the Metropolitan Police Service in this inquest concerning the death of a woman killed by Nicola Edgington who had previously been convicted of manslaughter after killing her mother. Please see here for media coverage. - Mohidin & Ors v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2015] EWHC 2740 (QB)
Allegations of racially aggravated assault, false imprisonment and breaches of Articles 3, 8 and 14 ECHR, acting for the Commissioner (led by John Beggs KC) in the trial against the officers and related proceedings under CPR Part 20 seeking an indemnity from the impugned officers [2016] EWHC 105 (QB). Authority on awards of damages in false imprisonment cases. - James-Bowen & Ors v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2015] EWHC 1249
Strike out of claims in negligence and contract concerning the Commissioner’s conduct of civil litigation brought by Babar Ahmad. - Harpham v Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police [2015]
Two week trial involving allegations of unlawful detention under s. 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, unlawful arrest and false imprisonment, breach of statutory duty and harassment. - Inquest touching the death of Estyna Blunnie [2015]
Cecily represented Essex Police at a 3 week jury inquest into the tragic death of a woman murdered by her former partner. Click here for press coverage. - Laporte & Christian v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2014] EWHC 3574 (QB)
Case clarifying the circumstances in which the police can go to the assistance of a body conducting a public meeting (led by George Thomas).
Recommendations
“Cecily is very thorough and conscientious – a strong advocate.”
Chambers & Partners 2023
“Cecily was very organised, proactive and had good client care skills in conference.”
The Legal 500 2022
“She is a very articulate barrister and she has the personal touch. You feel you can be confident in her as a safe pair of hands no matter what might go wrong.”
Chambers & Partners 2022
‘She is able to quickly get to the root of the issues in the claim and provide both detailed and reassuring advice to clients and witnesses.’
The Legal 500 2022
“Commercially astute, a great all-rounder for all police work.”
Chambers & Partners 2021
‘A very bright junior with great potential.’
The Legal 500 2021
“She is noticeably good – junior but a standout. She is switched on, academic and intellectual.”
Chambers & Partners 2020
“She has this great ability to predict the right outcome. She then suggests things to be done tactically and has an unnerving tendency for that to be proven right, which is particularly impressive for a junior. Also, she stops at nothing for the client.”
Chambers & Partners 2020
‘She represents forces in inquests and civil claims.’
The Legal 500 2020
“She is hard-working, incredibly diligent, focused and someone who ensures that cases are brought to trial in top condition.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
“Extremely bright, easy to work with and very helpful.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
“Demonstrates an ability to understand her brief, undertake research and produce high-quality advice.”
Chambers & Partners 2018
“She is very bright”
Chambers & Partners 2018
“Her written work is superb.”
Chambers & Partners 2017
“She is very clever and explains her points well so that laypeople can understand.”
Chambers & Partners 2017